Embiid confident in MVP push: 'The way I've been playing speaks for itself'
Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid has put up an MVP-caliber season in 2021-22 and currently leads the NBA in scoring at 29.6 points per game.
"I don't want to push for the whole thing, but the way I've been playing speaks for itself," Embiid told reporters during his All-Star Game media availability, including ESPN's Tim Bontemps.
Embiid was forced to take on a larger burden for the 76ers to start the year, with former co-star Ben Simmons holding out in hopes of a trade.
"I knew had to take my game to another level, whether it was offensively, defensively, or playmaking, and I've got great teammates that are coming in every single day and giving their all on the floor," he said.
The Cameroonian won't have to worry about shouldering the load too heavily moving forward, with star deadline-day acquisition James Harden working his way back from injury. The pair will become the league's highest-scoring duo when they are able to share the floor together.
Should Embiid be able to keep up his torrid scoring pace for the rest of the season, he'll become the first center to lead the NBA in scoring since Shaquille O'Neal in 1999-00.
The 76ers are currently 35-23 and on top of the Eastern Conference.